THE FIELD in the race for the 2011 John Cahill Medal shapes as one of the most open in the history of the award.

Pick the Winner and Win

Veteran midfielder Kane Cornes has dominated the voting in recent times, taking home the medal in three of the past four years.

However, none of last year's placegetters - Cornes, Troy Chaplin and Alipate Carlile - are likely to feature in the top-three this season, paving the way for a first-time winner of the award, the first since premiership ruckman Brendon Lade received the club's highest individual honour in 2006.

The voting for the award has changed this season, with players to receive a combined score of 0-4 for each game from the coaching group rather than an individual score from each coach.

How the Voting Works

afl.com.au's Katrina Gill casts an eye over the leading contenders.

John Cahill Medal
Star onballer Travis Boak could pip housemate Robbie Gray to take out the Power's top honour. Boak overcame an injury-interrupted pre-season to play 21 games and lead Port Adelaide in disposals, clearances and inside 50s.

The 23-year-old shouldered a lot of responsibility in the struggling midfield, but still managed to continue his personal development and is close to establishing himself an elite player in the competition.

He finished fourth in the John Cahill Medal last season, and would be a worthy winner in 2011.

The elusive Gray looms as Boak's biggest challenger. The skilful midfielder/forward dismissed concerns over his durability, as one of only two Power players not to miss a game in 2011, and also led the club in goalkicking and contested possessions.

He had several quiet games in the first half of the season, but finished the year strongly and could overtake Boak on the leaderboard with his six-goal haul against Essendon in round 23.

Skipper Dom Cassisi, emerging star Hamish Hartlett and retiring ruckman Dean Brogan should also poll well, but missed too many games through injury to be serious contenders.

John Cahill Medal - Previous Winners

Gavin Wanganeen Medal (best player aged 21 or under)
Hamish Hartlett was a rare bright spot for Port Adelaide in an otherwise disappointing season.

The Power's highest-ever draft pick (No.4 in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft) was limited to 15 appearances in his first two years at Alberton because of injury, but managed to play 16 games - all in succession - in 2011.

The classy ball winner displayed poise in the midfield and across half-back, averaging 21 possessions and could've challenged for the John Cahill Medal if not for a shoulder injury, which prematurely ended his season after round 20.

Best first year player award
It will be interesting to see how the Port Adelaide coaches judge this award, having unveiled seven debutants in Jasper Pittard, Cam O'Shea, Ben Jacobs, John Butcher, Simon Phillips, Jarrad Irons and Tom Jonas this season.

O'Shea (18) played the most games, Pittard was entrusted with the most responsibility - often taking the kick-outs - while Butcher had the biggest impact in just four matches.

Pittard, who earned a NAB Rising Star nomination for his performance against Adelaide in round three, was the most impressive across the course of the season and should get the nod.

Most improved player award
There were few bigger surprise packets at Alberton this season than young ruckman Matt Lobbe. Lobbe was on the verge of being dropped to the SANFL reserves when he was called up to replace the injured Brogan against North Melbourne in round 14.

The former first-round draft pick, who managed only three games in his first three years at Alberton, relished the responsibility of being the club's No.1 ruckman in the latter-half of the season, averaging 12 disposals and 22 hit-outs.

Tough midfielder Matt Thomas, who enjoyed a career-best year despite playing with injury, should also be considered.

Fos Williams Medal
Dom Cassisi has won this prestigious award voted for by the players in each of the past three years, and could easily take home a fourth Fos Williams Medal on Friday night.

The skipper, who was limited to 13 games through injury, set the example for his teammates, as evidenced by his inspirational comeback game from a broken leg against West Coast in round 13, in which he amassed 24 possessions and laid 11 tackles.

Thomas and uncompromising onballer Tom Logan are the other leading contenders.

Leading goalkicker
Robbie Gray (32)

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the club.